Note – this has nothing to do with potential changes to actually hunting, but how folks acquire tags. Also, no word of changes, if any, to the application dates which have not yet been released.

From FWC:

“Based on stakeholder input, the FWC is modifying the process used to issue Statewide Alligator Harvest Permits in an effort to improve the permitting process. The main objectives of these modifications are to ensure as many individuals as possible are awarded a permit and minimize the number of leftover permits that are handled through the first-come – first-served process.

Changes that will be implemented in 2015 include:

Phase I: Random Drawing
• Up to 20 hunt choices will be allowed per application (still only one application per person) – this should improve an applicant’s chances of being awarded a desired permit
• Persons will be able to cancel and resubmit an application between the time of original submission and the end of the application period – so if there are mistakes made or last minute changes needed this will provide for that flexibility

Phase II: Random Drawing
• Persons who were awarded a permit in Phase I but did not claim it will not be able to apply in Phase II
• Up to 20 hunt choices will be allowed per application (still only one application per person) – this should improve an applicant’s chances of being awarded a desired permit
• Persons can cancel and resubmit an application between the time of original submission and the end of the application period – so if there are mistakes made or last minute changes needed this will provide for that flexibility

Phase III: Random Drawing (New Phase)
• Any person can apply
• Up to 5 applications per person can be submitted
• Only one hunt choice will be allowed per application
• A valid credit card number must be included with each application (availability of funds will be checked, but no hold will be placed on the credit card balance)
• Persons can cancel and resubmit an application between the time of original submission and the end of the application period – so if there are mistakes made or last minute changes needed this will provide for that flexibility
• If an application is successful, the credit card number submitted with the application will be charged and the permit awarded
• A person can be awarded up to five permits, cumulatively, across all random drawing phases
• No refunds will be allowed (this applies to all permitting phases)

Leftovers Phase: First Come – First Served
• Only one hunt choice will be allowed per application
• Only one active shopping cart will be allowed (i.e., a shopping cart that has an item in it) – this will restrict a person to making a single permit transaction before seeking another one
• A person can be awarded up to 10 permits, cumulatively, across all phases – this will ensure that no one person dominates the issued permits

Hmmmmm, with all the computer freezes over the years, I figured the FCFS would be out the door. It’s not totally gone, as you can see, but I’ll wager it’ll become a skeleton of its former self as the other phases should dole out the majority of permits.

Not sure why they didn’t utilize the “pay upfront” method for the first 2 phases, but Phase III seems fair. Of course, there’s the potential a fortunate few will end up with multiple permits before others draw one – I’d still like to see preference points put to use.

And for 20 choices, well, guess I’ll need to study up on places to hunt this summer – seems a touch too many. I approve of, however, that folks who are drawn in Phase I who do not pay for their permit will have to sit out Phase II. That should help move things along.

No matter how they change the system, some people will be left out by the simple, uncompromising law of Supply & Demand.

About This Blog

Ian Nance is a lifelong resident of Central Florida with a passion for hunting and just about anything related. Associate Member of the Florida Outdoor Writers Association. Check back weekly for hunting stories, news, tips, and wild game recipes. Feel free to leave comments or e-mail topics you would like to see addressed here. Contact at inance880@aol.com or follow on Twitter @good_hunt